Top Ten Needs of the Great Lakes

Alex MayerCenter for Water & Society

Michigan Technological University

10,900 miles of shoreline

more than 30,000 islands 8 states, 2 provinces

$4 billion annual sport fishery

$55 million shipping industry

our home18% of fresh surface water on Earth

95% of the fresh surface water in US

40% of Canadian and 15% of US GDP

drinking water for 42 million people

6,000,000,000,000,000 gallons

The Great Lakes are….

our responsibility

unique ecosystems

Top Ten Needs of the Great Lakes*

*who came up with this list anyway?

• control existing and eliminate introduction of new invasive species

• reduce nonpoint (stormwater, etc.) pollution & point source pollution

• minimize impact of shoreline development, especially on wetlands

• restore native species• restore beneficial uses in pollution hot spots• reduce impacts of air pollution deposition• prevent beach pollution• policies for minimizing diversions and consumptive use• sustainable use of natural resources• mitigate impacts from climate change• increase public awareness and translate public desires into

policy• preserve the Great Lakes “sense of place”

how do these needs relate to

Lake Superior?

• reduce impacts of air pollution deposition

• prevent beach pollution• policies for minimizing diversions &

consumptive use• sustainable use of natural resources• mitigate impacts from climate change• increase public awareness and translate

public desires into policy

• control existing & eliminate introduction of new invasive species

• reduce nonpoint (stormwater, etc.) pollution & point source pollution

• minimize impact of shoreline development, especially on wetlands

• restore native species• restore beneficial uses in pollution hot

spots• preserve the Great Lakes “sense of

place”

How do these needs relate to •you?•your school?•your community?•your students?•your students’ families?

• reduce impacts of air pollution deposition

• prevent beach pollution• policies for minimizing diversions &

consumptive use• sustainable use of natural resources• mitigate impacts from climate change• increase public awareness and translate

public desires into policy

• control existing & eliminate introduction of new invasive species

• reduce nonpoint (stormwater, etc.) pollution & point source pollution

• minimize impact of shoreline development, especially on wetlands

• restore native species• restore beneficial uses in pollution hot

spots• preserve the Great Lakes “sense of

place”